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Tennessee football 2018 preview by position: Vols tight ends

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Neyland Stadium
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

Projected backups

1. Ja’Quain Blakely; Sophomore; 6’3″ 205 lbs; Moultrie, Ga.

Ja’Quain Blakely committed to Tennessee football as a linebacker. However, this past offseason, he converted to offense and spent time at tight end and running back. That versatility combined with his experience in the system is why we have him as our top backup. After all, Jeremy Pruitt and Tyson Helton do want to use the fullback in the system more, and Blakely is a hybrid tight end/running back. So he’ll be able to see more action this year, which makes him the top backup off the bench. At tight end specifically, though, he’s probably down this list.

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2. Austin Pope; Sophomore; 6’4″ 230 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

Austin Pope is the only other scholarship player on Tennessee football’s roster who actually played at tight end last year and saw real action. In fact, after redshirting in 2016, he’s been at tight end with the program for two years. Pope did have two receptions for nine yards. And at 6’4″ 230 pounds, he can lean either way right now, as a primary blocker or receiver. As a result, by default, he’ll see more action actually lining up on the line of scrimmage at tight end entering his sophomore year with the Vols. So that puts him behind Blakely, but not by much.

3. James Brown; r-Freshman; 6’3″ 222 lbs; Orlando, Fla.

James Brown joins Pope as the only guys who actually practiced with the Vols last year at tight end. He redshirted, though, which is what puts him behind Pope. Still, he’s likely ahead of the other guys, and there is clearly potential with him. As a result, he’ll be the fourth guy on the depth chart. But he still is very unproven.

4. LaTrell Bumphus; Sophomore; 6’3″ 258 lbs; Savannah, Tenn.

Once a four-star defensive end, LaTrell Bumphus doesn’t have that crazy a transition from there to tight end. He certainly has the potential to emerge onto the scene, but the position is surprisingly too deep right now. We’re just factoring in experience in our limitations directed at him, which brings about a possible need for a redshirt. In two years, though, watch out.

5. Jacob Warren; Freshman; 6’6″ 210 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

A three-star member of this recruiting class, Jacob Warren is the only true freshman at the position. The result is likely going to be him being buried in the depth chart and needing to take a redshirt as well. But hey, with a new system, he’ll have as much of a chance as anybody to see some action. So don’t fully count him out.

Other tight ends on the roster

Brandon Benedict; Sophomore; 6’2″ 250 lbs; Nashville, Tenn.

Andrew Craig; Sophomore; 6’5″ 240 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

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